This is a time to look back with gratitude for the graces received and to recognise God’s hand at work in our lives and the world around us. In true Ignatian spirit, we are called to examine not only our actions but also our intentions, seeking greater alignment with the mission to love and serve others.
As we prepare to step into a new year, let us embrace the Jesuit call to be contemplatives in action, renewing our commitment to justice, compassion, and finding God in all things.
In this spirit, we would like to reflect on key moments from the past year that have shaped our journey. We are grateful for your support in 2024 as we continue to work together to serve others with love and compassion.
The 175th anniversary of the opening of Farm Street Church, celebrated with a programme of events throughout the year, including an exhibition from the British Jesuit Archives. The year was closed out with a Solemn Mass led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
The completion of a pilot series of Things I Wish I Knew, the new podcast from Thinking Faith, which aims to help you think about your faith and, through your faith, the world around you.
Jesuit Missions’ work engaging with COP29, including supporting representatives from the Centre Arrupe in Madagascar to attend the climate summit in Azerbaijan.
The Provincial of the Jesuits in Britain, Fr Peter Gallagher SJ, along with students from Catholic schools, delivered a climate petition to Downing Street. Fr Peter also signed a Global Statement calling for urgent climate action ahead of COP29.
Key reports from Jesuit Refugee Service UK about the status and treatment of refugees in the UK, with a particular focus on those who have been abandoned by the British Government. One report, Destitute and in Danger, highlights the issue of people being made homeless by the asylum system. Another report exposed the awful treatment of asylum seekers in detention centres.
The Jesuits in Scotland helping to put on the first Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, which will be a regular addition to the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival.
Fantastic GCSE and A-Level results at Jesuit schools in the UK.
Over 100 people were able to attend spirituality retreats at St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre in north Wales thanks to the bursary fund, which you are invited to support. There was also a special Mass for friends and supporters of St Beuno's.
Key restoration work begun at Holy Name in Manchester, a Jesuit church described by the National Trust as "a vast and stunning masterpiece of the Gothic revival". You can listen to interview about that here.
A new Heythrop Library website and cataloguing system. They are currently offering a discount on memberships going into 2025.
Launch of the first quarterly Integral Ecology Quarterly Update, which highlights the work the British Province of Jesuits is doing to move towards Net Zero emissions by 2050.
A major ecumenical event in Assisi arranged by the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, which carried out important theological and liturgical work around the central theme of integral ecology.
The ordination of a young Jesuit to the priesthood, Carlos Chuquihuara, celebrated by family, friends and supporters at Farm Street Church.
The Jesuit Institute continued their important work with prisoners, as highlighted in Vatican News. The team works with prison chaplains to offer inmates and staff spiritual retreats, guidance and accompaniment.
The editorial team at The Way, our international journal of contemporary Christian spiritualty, has published Yearbook 2024, which offers an opportunity to explore writing from the past year, with articles selected from the four 2024 issues.
The Heythrop Institute, in collaboration with London Jesuit Centre, announced the launch of its new podcast, Theology Unpacked, which is now available for streaming on all major platforms. More here.
A collection of Peruvian paintings at Campion Hall caught the eye of the aptly named Production Company, Marmalade Pictures, to be copied as props in a certain national treasure of a film, starring a well-known bear in a duffle coat. More here.
Pray As You Go, our daily prayer website, podcast and app, hosted a special event in Washington DC for American listeners. The event was hosted by our friends at the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States and gave participants the opportunity to step deeper into the world of Ignatian spirituality.
King Charles III joined us for a special Advent service celebrating the courage and perseverance of Christian Communities. The service, co-hosted by the 175-year-old Jesuit parish at Farm Street and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), marked the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq by Daesh (ISIS).
We thank you all again for your continued support and wish you a blessed New Year.
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